Armageddon adventure aims for authentic thrills, chills

Cameron DiVella, of Kent, is celebrating the Halloween season with his new adventure "Undead Armageddon Haunted Forest," located behind the Iron Horse Saloon on Main Market Road in Burton Township. Divella plans to capitalize on the current zombie craze by combining an intense experience with a beautiful location in Geauga County.

Freddy Krueger? Forget about it.
A drooling Dracula? No way.
Don’t expect to find either of these standard scary figures lurking in the shadows at Undead Armageddon, a haunted forest experience set for the upcoming Halloween season in Burton Township.
Instead, owner and creator Cameron Divella, who claims that most monster maneuvers are a tad trite, says he wants to ensure that seekers of eerie encounters become “immersed into the Apocalyptic nightmare where the dead have risen.”
The Ohio native, who now lives in Florida where he owns a martial arts studio, said he envisioned the idea about three years ago after visiting one too many similar-style haunted houses.
“I wanted to see something new, something that hasn’t been done before,” he said.
Divella added that he chose to build the cataclysmic attraction in Northeast Ohio because haunted venues during Halloween “are a way of life here.”
His main hurdle was finding the right locale. Not everyone owning suitable property was open to the idea.
He credits Kathy Holmes, a real estate broker from All Points Realty in Chardon, for helping him land the perfect spot.
“I want to take this beautiful property and turn it into an apocalypse,” he said when first eyeing the site.
Chris Kanieski, who owns the property along with the Iron Horse Saloon which fronts the forest on Main Market Road, welcomed Divella and the impending “end of the world” adventure.
He’ll even be offering zombie-inspired spirits and discounted menu items throughout the run of the event — Sept. 28 through Nov. 2.
Earlier this week, carpenters were busy building structures to be erected along freshly cut trails winding through several acres.
About $30,000 is being spent on the project.
Those choosing to embark on the creepy quest won’t have long to wait before shock value sets in.
They’ll be met in the parking lot by … (shh! not all details being revealed here) and escorted through decontamination tents where cringe-inducing revelations await.
Divella’s counting on visitors to feel as if they’re part of the action rather than mere observers and plans on accomplishing the feat by treating them as true “survivors.”
Undead Armageddon is recommended for ages 12 and older. Those ages 12 through 15 must be accompanied by a parent and identification will be requested from those ages 16 and older.
On Fridays and Saturdays, tickets can be purchased from 6 to 10 p.m.; on Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m.
A friendlier trek (no zombies) through the forest will be offered for youngsters accompanied by parents from 5 to 6 p.m. Sundays. Cost is $5 for children; free for parents. Children may come in costume and trick-or-treat along the way.
Cost of the event is $20 and $2 discount tickets can be found at local outlets.For more details, visit www.undeadohio.com.